2 high school football players under investigation for crashing into referee
AUSTIN, Texas — Texas police have launched a criminal investigation into an incident in which two high school football players crashed into a referee from behind during a game, officials said on Tuesday.
The police department in Marble Falls, northwest of Austin, said it was weighing assault charges after Friday’s game at Marble Falls High School against John Jay High School of San Antonio.
“During the game, two players from John Jay High School targeted one of the game officials and blindsided him, knocking him to the ground,” Marble Falls Police said in a statement.
The prosecuting attorney is receptive to filing charges if the investigation bears that out, said Marble Falls Police spokesman Sergeant Tom Dillard. He added the investigation could take about a week.
The two players from have been suspended from the team and were ejected from the game, which John Jay lost 15-9, school officials said.
In a video of the incident shown on local media, the two defensive players are seen lining up behind the official, with one running into him from behind and the other plowing into him when he was down.
Northside Independent School District will hold a hearing on Tuesday to speak with the coaches and players at John Jay.